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Thu, 18 July 2019
Govt mulling extension of Budget session
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23:31 EC show cause notice to TMC, CPI, NCP over national party status
The Nationalist Congress Party, the Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India face the prospect of losing their national party status following their performance in the Lok Sabha elections with the Election Commission on Thursday issuing them a show cause notice.
The Commission has asked them to explain why their national party status should not be revoked, sources said.
They have been asked to respond to the notice by August 5.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the Nationalist Congress Party had won six seats. This time it won five. It also did not do well in the Maharashtra assembly polls.
Similarly, the TMC won 34 seats in 2014 LS polls and managed 22 this time.
The CPI won two in this election and one in 2014. But its performance in West Bengal and other states in assembly polls was dismal.
The CPI, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the NCP were facing the prospects of losing their national party status after their dismal performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as well.
However, they got a reprieve when in 2016 the EC amended its rules, whereby national and state party status of political parties are to be reviewed every 10 years instead of five.
The BSP, which won 10 Lok Sabha and some assembly seats, does not face the possibility of losing its national party status now.
According to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a political party can be recognised as a national party if its candidates secure at least six per cent of votes polled in four or more states in Lok Sabha or assembly elections, and, in addition, it has at least four members in the Lok Sabha.
It also should have at least two per cent of the total Lok Sabha seats and its candidates come from not less than three states.
As of now, TMC, BJP, BSP, CPI, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, NCP and National People's Party of Meghalaya have national party status. -- PTI
22:46 Actor Ajaz Khan arrested for posting 'objectionable' videos
The cyber wing of Mumbai Police on Thursday arrested actor Ajaz Khan for allegedly posting videos promoting communal hatred.
Some of the videos had gone viral on social media, a police official said. After receiving a complaint, the cyber wing of the Crime Branch registered a case under Indian Penal Code Section 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, etc,) on Wednesday, a spokesperson of Mumbai Police said.
Khan is no stranger to controversy.
In October 2018, Anti-Narcotics Cell of Mumbai Police had arrested the former Bigg Boss contestant from a hotel for alleged drug possession.
In 2016, he had been arrested for allegedly sending obscene pictures and lewd messages to a beautician.
Khan, who was part of the seventh season of the TV reality show Bigg Boss, has also appeared in films and comedy serials. -- PTI
22:39
Karnataka: BJP legislators who are on an over night 'dharna' at the assembly demanding floor test, eat dinner at the Opposition Lounge of Vidhana Soudha
22:30 Govt mulling extension of Budget session
The government is considering extending the ongoing parliamentary session by two to three days to complete its legislative business, sources said on Thursday.
At the Bharatiya Janata Party's parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the session can be extended, if required.
"The government is considering extending the parliamentary session by 2-3 days and BJP leaders are also in touch with the opposition leaders to take them on board," a source said.
The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha began on June 17 and is to continue till July 26. -- PTI
22:28 India will become $5 trillion economy because of previous govts: Pranab
Former president Pranab Mukherjee said on Thursday that India would become a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024 because of the strong foundation laid by previous governments.
Delivering a lecture on 'Furthering India's Promise', Mukherjee said various economic and social sectors are performing well because of the efforts of Indians since Independence.
He rued the fact that the Modi dispensation has not only scrapped five-year plans but also done away with the Planning Commission.
"The Finance Minister can say that India will become a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024 because of the strong foundation laid previously. The efforts were not put by Britishers but by Indians since Independence," he said.
"These five-year plans built the vision for economy, health, education among others. The investment used to be made based on these plans," he told at the lecture organised by Samruddha Bharat Foundation.
Mukherjee further said he agrees that non-Congress governments also played a vital role in development of the country but noted that to 'exclude would be absolutely absurd'.
He said Mangalyaan has been made possible because 'not by magic but by the sustained efforts on which the ground work has been done'.
He listed out various instances of exploitation by the Britishers and how India recuperated from it after the Independence.
"India has been physically conquered a number of times but not spiritually but I do believe that India has always risen out of it," he said. -- PTI
21:56 Can floor test be held without Cong exercising its right: Surjewala
With the Karnataka assembly all set for a floor test, the Congress on Thursday asked how a confidence motion can be taken up when the power of a political party to issue a whip has been nullified by a court order.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Wednesday's Supreme Court order raised more questions than it answered and many concerns have arisen over implementing its decision.
The Supreme Court had said in its order that 15 rebel MLAs of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in Karnataka 'ought not' to be compelled to participate in the proceedings of the ongoing session of the state assembly.
It said an option should be given to them as to whether or not they wanted to take part in the proceedings.
"Can there be a confidence motion in compliance with the established Parliamentary Procedure and Constitutional Norms in absence of Schedule X of the Constitution of India," Surjewala asked.
"As a result, the Congress party's authority to issue and enforce a whip has been effectively nullified. This concern manifested itself in practice today when rebel MLAs took advantage of the court's order to avoid participating in the floor test," he said.
The floor test was to be held in the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday.
However, the House was adjourned till Friday amid high drama.
Surjewala alleged that this is not the first time that the Bharatiya Janata Party has used money and muscle power to subvert public mandate and Karnataka is the latest state that has fallen victim to the party's philosophy of 'usurping' power.
He said earlier the BJP had done this in Goa, Manipur, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir.
In these states (except Uttarakhand), the majority of the residents had decisively rejected the BJP, but had the 'misfortune' of having BJP governments thrust upon them against their will, Surjewala said.
"These were all attempts to usurp power regardless of the public mandate and the Constitution. This is the very opposite of a democratic process," he said.
The Congress leader said the Supreme Court passed its judgment to balance competing interests and to maintain the constitutional balance, but 'because of BJP's desperation to subvert constitutional norms and to usurp power at all costs, it may end up, inadvertently, achieving the opposite objective'.
Surjewala asked how the Congress party can enforce its rights under Schedule X of the Constitution to issue a whip if some members have been exempted from complying with the constitutionally mandated whip.
"Can the Congress be bound by a decision to which it is not a party? The order of the Supreme Court directly impacts and abrogates the authority of the Congress party to issue a whip in exercise of the powers under Schedule X of the Constitution," he said.
The inability to issue a whip, by extension, renders the powers of penalty and disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution meaningless, he added.
Surjewala said the doctrine of separation of powers separates and prohibits the judiciary, the executive and the legislature from interfering with the workings of one another.
"The fact that separation of powers is part of the basic structure cannot be ignored. This is an essential check and balance in preventing the excesses of one arm of government over the other.
"Can the judiciary impose its own terms and conditions on how a floor test should be conducted and consequently govern proceedings of the legislature?" he said, while seeking to question the apex court's judgement.
He also asked whether the Supreme Court considered the context and history of these deliberate and designed defections while passing its order. -- PTI
21:38 Death toll in Bihar floods reaches 78
A total 78 persons have died so far in the flash floods that have hit Bihar in the wake of torrential rainfall in adjoining Nepal, the state disaster management department said on Thursday.
According to figures released by the department, the death toll has climbed to 78 as against 67 on the previous day with Sitamarhi district accounting for the maximum number of 18 casualties.
Other districts reporting casualties are Madhubani (14), Araria (12), Sheohar and Darbhanga (nine each), Purnea (seven), Kishanganj (four), Supaul (three) and East Champaran (two).
Three flood-affected districts -- Muzaffarpur, Saharsa and Katihar -- have confirmed nil casualties so far, the department said. -- PTI
21:18
Karnataka: Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Prabhu Chavan arrives at Vidhana Soudha with bedsheet and pillow.
BJP legislators are on an over night 'dharna' (at Assembly), demanding floor test. -- ANI
21:10 Guv to HDK: Prove majority by 1.30 pm tomorrow
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has written a letter to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, asking him to prove majority of the government on the floor of the house by 1.30 pm tomorrow.
Bharatiya Janata Party Karnataka president B S Yeddyurappa said, "We are demanding voting on the motion but the chief minister is reluctant to take it up as he has confirmed himself that he has lost confidence of the house and the people.
"Everybody knows Congress-JD(S) have only 98 MLAs, we have 105." -- ANI
20:52 Pak enacting this drama since 2001: MEA on Hafiz
A day after Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed was arrested by Pakistan, India on Thursday said similar 'drama' has taken place at least eight times since 2001, and the genuineness of the action will depend on whether he is tried for his terrorist activities.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India hoped that Saeed will genuinely be brought to justice this time.
"This is not the first time that Hafiz Saeed has been arrested or detained. This drama has taken place at least eight times since 2001. The question is whether this time it would be more than a cosmetic exercise and whether Saeed will be tried and sentenced for his terrorist activities," he said at a weekly media briefing.
He said Saeed must be punished as he is a designated terrorist, and listed by the United Nations Sanctions Committee under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267.
"Effective action mandated internationally against Hafiz Saeed and his terrorist organisations is an obligation on part of all UN member states, including Pakistan," said Kumar.
Saeed also carries a reward of $ 10 million under US law.
"Pakistan's sincerity to take action against terrorist and terror groups will be judged on the basis of their ability to demonstrate verifiable, credible and irreversible actions against terrorists and to disrupt and dismantle terror groups operating from their soil," the MEA spokesperson said.
He said India has long been maintaining that the UN Security Council provisions pertaining to listing and proscription of known terrorist entities and individuals must be effectively and sincerely enforced by all member states.
"Hafiz Saeed and his front organisations LeT and JuD recruit and train hundreds and thousands of persons and motivate and indoctrinate them on a violent agenda against India," he said.
Kumar said the anti-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has drawn attention to the clear evidence that organisations supported by Saeed continue to be involved in supporting and financing terrorist activities.
Saeed was arrested on Wednesday on terror financing charges by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab Province.
He was travelling to Gujranwala from Lahore to get pre-arrest bail in terror financing cases registered against him there when he was arrested, a CTD official said.
The CTD on July 3 had registered 23 FIRs against 13 top leaders of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) including Saeed on the charges of 'terror financing' in different cities of Punjab province. -- PTI
20:00 Uproar in Lok Sabha over mention of 'Ambanis and Adanis'
Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar on Thursday when Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy said that 'Ambanis and Adanis are essential for the government', drawing strong protest from the treasury benches.
Participating in the discussion on the Finance Bill 2019, Roy said the Budget has lowered the tax rate of corporates with turnover of Rs 400 crore from 30 per cent to 25 per cent while it has increased prices of diesel which effect the poor and the common man most.
"Ambanis and Adanis are essential for the government," he said.
Members of the ruling side objected to the remark requesting the chair to expunge the names from the speech. However, Roy retorted saying that he has not named any individual but mentioned industries.
The chair (Meenakashi Lekhi) accepted the argument of treasury benches and ruled that it will be expunged. Bhartrihari Mehtab (BJD), raising a point of order, said in the past names of Tatas and Birlas were taken in this House so the secretariat should check the record.
Following this, the chaired ruled that the decision on expunging names would be taken after checking past record. The debate started after her ruling.
Roy said increased cess on petrol and diesel will stoke inflation affecting the poor and the middle class most. Participating in the debate, several opposition members demanded withdrawal on TDS on withdrawal of cash above Rs 1 crore, and doing away with hike in customs duty on the newsprint.
The 10 per cent hike will put heavy burden on industry which is already paying 5 per cent GST, Mehtab said. Both Roy and Mehtab also said that the government should desist from bunching other legislations with the Finance Bill as this bypasses the parliamentary procedure.
The Finance Bill is a money bill which cannot be amended or rejected by Rajya Sabha.
Terming the Budget direction-less, Roy said 'this is not going to unleash animal spirit which is required to accelerate growth of country to 8 per cent to achieve the objective of $ 5 trillion economy by 2024-25'.
Ritesh Pandey (Bahujan Samaj Party) said that 2 per cent TDS on cash withdrawal above Rs 1 crore is anti-farmer and should be withdrawn.
He also said that surcharge on income above Rs 2 crore will result in brain drain as high networth individual will leave the country.
During the discussion on Finance Bill, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's T Sumathi raised the issue of the government allocating Rs 50 crore in this year's Budget to support the appointment of Hindi teachers in non-Hindi speaking states and said that she was anguished and pained by the step. "The budget is actually a 'fudge-t'", she said, adding the Finance Bill was "a poor cousin of budget". -- PTI
18:58 BJP MLAs to have sleepover inside Karnataka assembly
Even as the Karnataka Assembly has been adjourned till 11 am tomorrow, BJP MLAs have decided to remain inside the state assembly as a mark of protest.
The BJP is demanding that the Speaker replies to the Governor's letter and holds a floor test.
18:51
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasans political party Makkal Needhi Maiam will not be contesting the Vellore Lok Sabha by-polls.
18:31 Karnataka assembly adjourned till 11 am tomorrow
In a twist of events, the Karnataka assembly has been adjourned for the day, which means there will be no trust vote today.
The adjournment comes even as Governor Vajubhai Vala had asked Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to conduct the trust vote on Thursday itself.
Vala's statement to Speaker said, "Motion of confidence is in consideration at the House. The chief minister is expected to maintain confidence of the House at all times. Consider trust vote by the end of the day." The Congress is reportedly against the direction, saying that there is no provision to allow the governor to direct a Speaker in this regard.
Reacting to the statement, Congress MLA HK Patil said that the governor should not interfere in House proceedings.
17:57 Sedition case: HC suspends one-year sentence imposed on Vaiko by lower court
In a major relief to MDMK chief Vaiko, the Madras high court on Thursday suspended the one-year sentence awarded to him by a lower court in a 2009 sedition case.
Justice P D Audikesavalu, before whom the appeal filed by Vaiko came up, suspended the sentence imposed by a special court on July 5.
Counsel for Vaiko argued that there was no audio or video evidence produced by the prosecution to prove the charge of sedition under Indian Penal Code section 124 A and even the witnesses produced were only police personnel and no public witnesses were produced.
Public prosecutor A Natarajan submitted that Vaiko himself has admitted to making such speech.
Refusing to restrain Vaiko from giving such speeches against the sovereignty of the State, as sought by the public prosecutor, the court instead asked the counsel for Vaiko to advise his client to be responsible while making public speeches pending disposal of the appeal.
In his petition, Vaiko said the special court for trial of MPs and MLAs had erred in its interpretation of 124 A (sedition) with regard to the words he had spoken in support of the banned LTTE.
What he had spoken "must be judged objectively and from standards reasonable to strong minded, firm and courageous men and not those of weak and vacillating minds," he said.
Vaiko, a Rajya Sabha member, submitted that the trial court erroneously rested its conclusion based on inadmissible evidence.
He referred to the order of the lower court and said the proof of guilt of the accused is very much on the prosecution.
-- PTI
17:22 Trust vote by today: K'taka guv tells Speaker
Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala requests the Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to conduct the floor test by the end of the day. In a missive sent to the Speaker, through a Raj Bhavan official, the governor said, "Motion of confidence is in consideration at the house. Chief Minister is expected to maintain confidence of the house at all times. Consider trust vote by the end of the day."
This comes after BJP MLAs met the governor and asked him to intervene saying the Congress was stalling proceedings and using delaying tactics.
Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa tells the assembly, "Even if it is 12 midnight, let the trust vote be held today."
As per the register of attendance, 18 MLAs were not present in the Assembly as the House took up the vote of confidence for debate.
The MLAs who were absent include Byrathi Basavaraj, Munirathna, S T Somashekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Roshan Baig, Srimanth Patil, Anand Singh, B Nagendra, R Shankar, K Gopalaiah, Narayana Gowda, M T B Basavaraj, B C Patil, H Vishwanath, Mahesh Kumthahalli, Prathap Gouda Patil, Dr Sudhakar and Shivaram Hebbar.
Kumaraswamy had on Wednesday issued a whip to all JD(S) MLAs including three rebel legislators Narayan Gowda, Gopalaiah and H Vishwanath to be present in the Assembly at the time of trust vote.
The Congress had issued a similar whip to its members including the rebels to attend the House.The Supreme Court on Wednesday had observed that 15 rebel MLAs cannot be forced to take part in the proceedings of the House.
Image: A BJP delegation consisting of Jagadish Shettar, Arvind Limbavali, Basavaraj Bommai, SR Vishwanath and N Ravikumar met Governor Vajubhai Vala earlier today and submitted a memorandum over the vote of confidence. Pic: ANI
17:04 Cong MLA moved to St George Hospital
Just in: Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil has been shifted to Mumbai's St. George Hospital from Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre for further treatment.
Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar on Thursday sought a detailed report from Home Minister M B Patil on rebel Congress MLA Shrimant Patil, who was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after he complained of chest pain on Wednesday.
Expressing concern over the images shared in the House, Kumar observed that the situation "does not look natural".
"What kind of a Speaker I would be if I proceed with this document (letter sent by Congress MLA Shrimant Patil informing about his ill health) which has no date or letterhead," Kumar said in the Assembly.
"Please contact the family members of Shrimant Patil (Congress MLA) immediately. Give a detailed report to me by tomorrow. Ask them if they know anything about this. Has he had a medical problem in the past or is it the first time. it does not look natural. If Home Minister can't ensure protection, I will talk to DGP," he said adding was there no hospital in Bengaluru for treatment.
Shrimant Patil, who was staying with other Congress legislators at the Windflower Prakruthi Resort in Bengaluru, was admitted to a hospital in Mumbai today.
16:24 Speaker seeks report on MLA's hospitalisation
Karnataka Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao tells the Assembly that there is a conspiracy behind MLA Shrimant Patil's hospitalisation. "There was hospital right next to resort where our MLAs are staying, then why was he (MLA Shrimant Patil) flown to Chennai and then to Mumbai for treatment? He is healthy, there is nothing is wrong with him. It's a conspiracy by the BJP," Rao says.
Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar retorts, "What kind of a Speaker would I be if I proceed with the document (letter sent by Congress MLA Shrimant Patil informing about his ill health) which has no date or letterhead.
"Please contact the family members of Shrimant Patil immediately. Give a detailed report to me by tomorrow. It does not look natural. If Home Minister can't ensure protection, I will talk to DGP."
The House has been adjourned for 30 minutes.
15:53 So, here's the plan...
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy talking to Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah in Assembly during the trust vote debate.
15:42 Shivakumar: Where is my MLA?
DK Shivakumar, Congress, in Karnataka Assembly says, "There were 8 MLAs who traveled together. Here is a picture of one of them (Shrimant Patil) lying inert on a stretcher, where are these people? I'm asking the Speaker to protect our MLAs." Uproar in the house after this.
15:39 Cong says its MLA has been abducted
DK Shivakumar says the party's MLA Shrimant Patil who was staying with other Congress MLAs at Windflower Prakruthi Resort in Bengaluru has been abducted. They said he was fit at the resort. According to reports, the MLA has been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after he complained of chest pain.
15:36 Cong seeks clarity on SC order before floor test
Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday suggested in the Assembly that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is got on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings.
"It is not appropriate to take a floor test in this session which is against the Constitution," he said participating in the debate on the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today.
Siddaramaiah also stated that the rebel MLAs not coming to house will be a big loss to the coalition government, "If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government."
Siddaramaiah's assertions were vociferously opposed by opposition members.
The Supreme Court in its judgement on Wednesday had said that the MLAs of the Congress - JD(S) coalition in Karnataka should not be compelled to take part in the proceedings of the State Assembly.
Congress leader D K Shivakumar also accused the BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa of misguiding the nation and the Supreme Court.
"Being a former Chief Minister, being the leader of the opposition, he (BS Yeddyurappa) is misguiding the nation, misguiding the court", Shivakumar said in Vidhan Soudha.
Interestingly, during the proceedings, the Congress' chief trouble shooter was also seen confabulating with BJP MLA B Sriramulu in the Assembly.
Shivakumar also showed pictures of the MLA who is hospitalised today and shares other details in the Karnataka Assembly.
-- ANI
14:53 Dawood's nephew arrested at Mumbai airport while trying to flee India
Mumbai Police has arrested terrorist Dawood Ibrahim's nephew Rizwan Kaskar in connection with an extortion case, an official said Thursday. Rizwan Kaskar, the son of Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar, was arrested on Wednesday night from the international airport here when he was trying to flee the country, the official said.
Iqbal Kaskar was also earlier arrested in an extortion case and is currently lodged at a jail in neighbouring Thane.
Two days ago, Mumbai Police's anti-extortion cell arrested Ahmed Raza Wadharia, a close aide of Ibrahim's gang member Fahim Machmach, in an extortion case, a senior official of the Crime Branch said. "During his interrogation, Rizwan Kaskar's name cropped up. Based on the information, a trap was laid and he was detained at the Mumbai international airport on Wednesday night when he was trying to escape from the country," he said.
He was placed under arrest after detailed interrogation, the official said. Wadharia, a native of Surat in Gujarat, allegedly worked as a 'hawala' operator in Dubai.
Based on a tip-off, he was arrested from the Mumbai airport a couple of days back when he was going to Surat after being deported from Dubai, another official said, adding that he was part an extortion racket here and in Surat. -- PTI
14:02 Triple talaq petitioner threatened in Bengal
Triple talaq petitioner and BJP leader Ishrat Jahan was allegedly threatened by locals and asked to vacate her rented house allegedly for attending a Hindu religious event wearing hijab, police said on Thursday.
In her complaint filed on Tuesday (July 16), Jahan had said that she went to attend the BJP's Hanuman Chalisa path at the AC market in Howrah. But, when she returned home she was accosted by people of her community for attending the Hindu event.
"They said that I have demeaned the Muslim community as I attended the function in hijab," she said in her complaint. "A group of people gathered outside my house had asked me why I went to attend a Hanuman Chalisa path event wearing hijab," Jahan told ANI.
"Everyone said I should leave the house immediately else they will push me out of the house forcefully. I am receiving death threats. I demand protection. I live alone with my son, anything can happen to me anytime," she said.
Meanwhile, Howrah ACP North Pratiksha Jharkaria confirmed that they have received Jahan's complaint and an investigation is underway.
Jahan, who was divorced by her husband over the phone from Dubai in 2014 by uttering 'talaq' thrice, was one of the petitioners in the triple talaq case. -- ANI
13:43
BJP MP Hema Malini and NC's Farooq Abdullah share a light moment and make a pretty picture outside Parliament this afternoon.
13:40 Nadia Comaneci celebrates her Perfect 10 with this perfect video
Nadia Comaneci made history at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal by becoming the first gymnast ever to be awarded a perfect score of 10.0.
She was just 14.
The date? July 18 ... 43 years ago.
Comaneci who lives in the US with her son, tweeted a video acknowledging that day. The video shows her doing a handstand on a beach. @nadiacomaneci10 Here we go... 43 years later..July 18 th 1976 Montreal ...First Perfect 10.....and my son photobomb handstand..."
13:30 Fight there not here: LS Speaker to K'taka MP
"Fight there, not here," was the cryptic remark of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla when a ruling BJP member from Karnataka spoke in Lok Sabha on Thursday about the state's long standing dispute with Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water.
When Karnataka MP Shobha Karandlaje spoke during Question Hour about the scarcity of drinking water in different parts of her state, she also mentioned about Karnataka's disputes with Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water, pointing towards members from her neighbouring state sitting in opposition benches, and with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The Speaker remarked, "fight there, not here", leading to a peal of laughter from members.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said most of the river water disputes among states were either in courts or in tribunals.
Shekhawat also sought cooperation from states to resolve such issues. The minister said under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, a total of 1,592 blocks have been selected in 256 ground water stressed districts.
13:10 When HDK's father Deve Gowda went down all guns blazing
As Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy makes a valiant effort to save his government with a passionate speech at the floor of the house in the state assembly, a throwback to the time his father, HD Deve Gowda delivered an impassioned speech in the Lok Sabha as he was giving up power.
Read this as we wait for the drama in the Karnataka assembly to conclude.
12:50 Reliance Brands completes acquisition of Hamleys
Reliance Brands, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, has completed acquisition of British toy retailer Hamleys for GBP 67.96 million (about Rs 620 crore) in an all-cash deal. In May this year, Reliance Brands had signed an agreement to acquire 100 per cent stake in Hamleys Global Holdings from Hong Kong-based C.banner International.
12:47
Just in: Prosecutors drop sex assault charges against Kevin Spacey.
12:46 House holds Supreme Court in highest esteem: K'taka Speaker
Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh in the Assembly as the discussion on the Trust Vote is on. "This House holds the Supreme Court in highest esteem. Let me make it clear to the leader of the Congress Legislature Party that this Office is not restraining you from exercising any of your authorities. I've no role to play in that. If you intend to implead yourself as one of the respondents before the Supreme Court for amending this you are at liberty to do so.
"When a member chooses not to come, our attendants will not permit them to sign the register of attendance. The concerned member will not be entitled to draw any emolument that is meant for the member to be drawn for being present in the House."
12:33 Dawood's nephew arrested
Mumbai Police arrests underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's nephew Rizwan Kaskar in an extortion case. He was arrested at the airport while trying to flee the country.
12:19 HDK moves confidence motion in Assembly
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday moved the confidence motion in the state Assembly with the 14-month old Congress-JDS government headed by him hanging by a thread after a rebellion by a section of ruling coalition lawmakers.
With the numbers stacked against the ruling coalition, Kumaraswamy moved a one-line motion, saying that the House expresses confidence in the ministry headed by him.
As soon as the motion was moved, opposition BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa stood up and said the trust vote process should be completed in a single day. "The Leader of Opposition seems to be in a hurry," Kumaraswamy taunted Yeddyurappa.
BJP is reportedly apprehensive that the ruling coalition might try to get the debate prolonged as much as possible to buy time in its last ditch effort to shore up numbers before the voting is taken up.
Kumaraswamy insisted that doubts had been created about the Congress-JDS coalition and it had to be brought before the country. "We have to tell the truth," he said.
The trial of strength is taking place a day after the Supreme Court ruled that the 15 rebel Congress-JDS MLAs "ought not" to be compelled to participate in the proceedings of the ongoing session of the state Assembly.
The court verdict was interpreted in political circles as a relief for the rebel lawmakers, as it categorically said an option should be given to them as to whether they wanted to take part or stay out of the assembly proceedings. The ruling coalition had held out the threat of using the Whip against the wayward MLAs, citing the disqualification provision under the anti-defection law. Armed with the court order, the rebel Congress-JDS MLAs camping in Mumbai have said there was no question of stepping back on their resignations or attending the session.
As many as 16 MLAs -- 13 from the Congress and three from JDS -- have resigned, while independent MLAs R Shankar and H Nagesh have withdrawn their support to the coalition government, putting the Kumaraswamy-led government in jitters.
12:00 Uncle Nelson told me to join politics: Priyanka's throwback pic with Mandela
On Nelson Mandela's 101st birth anniversary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shares this picture, tweeting, "The world misses men like #NelsonMandela more than ever today. His life was a testament to truth, love and freedom.
To me, he was Uncle Nelson (who told me I ought to be in politics long before anyone else did!). He will always be my inspiration and my guide."
The picture was taken in 2001, and she says Mandela was "laughing heartily at my son's fancy topi".
Yesterday, the Congress leader, a late entrant on social media, happily joined in the trend -- that has become a rage on twitter -- of women sharing pictures of themselves draped in sarees.
Priyanka shared a throwback picture of herself in a saree from the morning of her wedding day.
"Morning puja on the day of my wedding (22 years ago!)" Priyanka posted on her Twitter handle along with the trending hashtag #SareeTwitter. Priyanka is seen seated wearing a saree with the pallu draped on her head.
11:44
Karnataka: N Mahesh, BSP MLA is not present in the House during trust motion
11:38 Karnataka: Discussion on trust vote begins
The Janata Dal Secular-Congress coalition government will face its trust vote in the state Assembly this morning.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy addresses the Vidhana Soudha ahead of the floor test today.
The discussion on the vote of confidence began at around 11 am in the Assembly.
I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators. The Speaker has always worked impartially.
"I have worked hard for the people for the last three months. My focus has always been on developing Karnataka, but the BJP has engineered the chaos," he told the house.
Kumaraswamy on Wednesday issued whip to all 37 MLAs of JD(S) including three rebel legislators Narayana Gowda, Gopalaiah and H Vishwanath to be present in the Assembly at the time of trust vote.
Kumaraswamy has warned that if MLAs do not attend the House and vote against the party whip even after attending the session on the day of trust voting, action will be initiated under the rule of Anti-Defection Law and that MLA will be disqualified from his post.
The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government slumped into crisis after these MLAs resigned from the membership of the Assembly earlier this month.The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113. -- ANI
11:20 Chandrayaan 2 launch at 2:43 pm, July 22
The launch of Chandrayaan 2, India's second mission to the moon, has been rescheduled at 2:43 pm on Monday.
Announcing the fresh date, ISRO tweeted: "Chandrayaan-2 launch, which was called off due to a technical snag on July 15, 2019, is now rescheduled at 2:43 pm IST on Monday, July 22, 2019."
Chandrayaan 2 was called off in the early hours of July 15 after the Indian Space Research Organisation encountered a technical snag.
"A technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system at 1 hour before the launch. As a measure of abundant precaution, #Chandrayaan2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later," ISRO had tweeted earlier.
The snag was reportedly noticed when the cryogenic fuel was being loaded.
"The technical snag was noticed during the cryogenic fuel was being loaded. We have to approach the vehicle to assess the problem. First, we have to empty the fuel loaded in the rocket, then the rocket will be taken back for further investigation," ISRO said.
11:17 We call upon Pakistan to release Jadhav: FM's statement in RS
Foreign minister S Jaishankar's statement in the Rajya Sabha on the ICJ ruling on Kulbhushan Jadhav.
"The International Court of Justice (ICJ) by a vote of 15-1 upheld India's claim that Pakistan is in violation of Vienna Convention on several counts. The ICJ has directed that Pakistan is under an obligation to inform Jadhav without further delay of his rights and to provide Indian consular officers access to him in accordance with the Vienna Convention.
"We once again call upon Pakistan to release and repatriate Kulbhushan Jadhav.
"In 2017, the govt made a commitment on the floor of the House to undertake all steps necessary to protect interest and welfare of Shri Jadhav.
"The govt has made untiring efforts in seeking his release including through legal means in ICJ.
"Jadhav's family has shown exemplary courage in difficult circumstances. I can assure the govt will vigorously continue its efforts to ensure his safety and well being, as well as his early return to India."
11:11
Chandrayaan 2 launch rescheduled at 2:43 pm on Monday.
11:02 Saravana Bhavan owner dies of cardiac arrest
P Rajagopal, the 72-year-old founder of Saravana Bhavan , a global chain of restaurants, has died of a cardiac arrest. He was in jail serving a life term for murder
Last week, a bench of three judges had trashed claims of poor health as a good reason to let him stay out of jail for some time. Rajagopal was represented by senior lawyer Kapil Sibal.
The Chennai Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Courts court had then ordered him to be sent to jail where he was to be put through a medical examination as is the norm.
Rajagopal was first found guilty of murder and sentenced to 10 years in 2004. The judge had found him guilty of ordering the abduction and murder of his employee three years earlier to be able to marry his widow.
Rajagopal had appealed against the verdict in the high court which concluded in 2009 that he had been sentenced too lightly and ordered him to serve a life term in jail. He appealed again, this time to the Supreme Court.
In March this year, the top court upheld the life term for the businessman who had started out as an employee at a utensils store before moving on to open a grocery store. He later went on to become the owner of a large restaurant chain.
Image: P Rajagopal had arrived on a stretcher to surrender before a sessions court to serve a life term, in Chennai last week.
10:46 BJP confident of winning floor test
Karnataka BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa & BJP MLAs arrive at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru ahead of the floor test today.
10:31 Sidda, Yeddy at Assembly ahead of floor test
In Bengaluru, Congress leader Siddaramaiah arrives at the Vidhana Soudha ahead of the floor test today.
BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa who is also at the Vidhana Soudha, said the BJP was 101 per cent confident of winning the floor test. They are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated.
Janata Dal Secular-Congress coalition government, led by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, will face its trust vote in the state Assembly on Thursday.
The discussion on the vote of confidence will start at around 11 am in the Assembly.
Kumaraswamy on Wednesday issued whip to all 37 MLAs of JD(S) including three rebel legislators Narayana Gowda, Gopalaiah and H Vishwanath to be present in the Assembly at the time of trust vote.
Kumaraswamy has warned that if MLAs do not attend the House and vote against the party whip even after attending the session on the day of trust voting, action will be initiated under the rule of Anti-Defection Law and that MLA will be disqualified from his post.
10:09 Jadhav guilty of crimes against Pak: Imran
Pakistan PM Imran Khan finally reacts to the ICJ verdict on Kulbhushan Jadhav.
"Appreciate the ICJs decision not to acquit, release and return Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav to India. He is guilty of crimes against the people of Pakistan. Pakistan shall proceed further as per law," Khan tweeted.
Pakistan on Wednesday had claimed victory after the International Court of Justice pronounced its verdict on the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.
While ICJ rejected most of Pakistan's arguments by a vote of 15-1, the Imran Khan government said it is a "big win" for the country as ICJ rejected India's demand of Jadhav's release repatriation.
The Pakistan foreign office has meanwhile said it will now proceed "as per law" in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case after the ICJ ruled that it must review the death sentence for the Indian national who was charged for "espionage and terrorism".
The Foreign Office in a statement said Pakistan as a "responsible member" of the international community "upheld its commitment" from the very beginning of the case by appearing before the court for the provisional measures hearing despite a very short notice.
"Having heard the judgment, Pakistan will now proceed as per law," the statement said.
The statement claimed that the Hague-based ICJ in its judgment did not accept India's plea to "acquit/release" Jadhav.
The Foreign Office reiterated that Jadhav entered Pakistan "without a visa on authentic Indian Passport with a fake alias Hussain Mubarak Patel".
The ICJ bench headed by Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf ordered an "effective review and reconsideration" of the conviction and sentence of Jadhav.
Jadhav, 49, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by the Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India following which New Delhi moved the world court.
In New Delhi, India welcomed the verdict of the ICJ asking Pakistan to review the death sentence for Jadhav and granting consular access to him.
Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Raveesh Kumar said the ruling of the court by a vote of 15-1 upheld India's position in the case.
10:02 Pak wasn't searching for Hafiz, he was living freely: US committee
The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday countered US President Donald Trump's tweet on UN-proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed.
The legislative committee highlighted that Pakistan was not searching for the 26/11 terror attack mastermind for 10 years -- as claimed by Trump. Hafiz was living freely in the country, they added.
"FYI Pakistan wasn't searching for him for 10 years. He's been living freely and was arrested and released in December 2001, May 2002, October 2002, August 2006 (twice), December 2008, September 2009, January 2017. Let's hold the (applause) until he's convicted," the committee tweeted.
Saeed was arrested on Wednesday while he was on his way to an anti-terrorism court in Gujranwala to seek bail.
Reacting to the development, Trump tweeted, "After a ten-year search, the so-called "mastermind" of the Mumbai terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!"
-- ANI
09:57 Sexual assault case against Kevin Spacey dropped
Prosecutors dropped sexual assault proceedings against Kevin Spacey on Wednesday after the case against the Hollywood star collapsed over his alleged victim's refusal to testify.
William Little had accused the 59-year-old actor of groping him in a bar on the upmarket resort island of Nantucket in July 2016.
But Massachusetts prosecutors filed a formal notice of abandonment of indecent assault and battery indictment due to "the unavailability of the complaining witness."
Little chose to plead the Fifth Amendment, which allows witnesses and the accused not to testify so as not to incriminate themselves, after it was revealed that his cell phone -- a key piece of evidence in the case -- may have been compromised.
Little has said he took a smartphone video of the incident, which he says took place when he was an 18-year-old busboy in the bar and restaurant. But the phone -- which the defense wanted to examine -- has disappeared, as confirmed by Little and his parents, who were also called upon to testify.
A police officer said he returned the phone to the family after extracting all the information but admitted he neglected to ask for a receipt upon its return. The family said they never received it.
Little's mother Heather Unruh, a television news anchor known in the Boston area, admitted she had deleted some potentially embarrassing photos before giving the phone to police, but said she had not erased anything related to the alleged assault.
Spacey has insisted on his innocence of the charges, which would have carried a penalty of up to five years in prison.
The allegation of sexual misconduct against the two-time Oscar winner was one of more than a dozen to emerge since 2017 in the wake of the #MeToo movement -- in both the United States and Britain -- with devastating effect on his acting career.
He was dropped from the cast of the popular House of Cards series and from a leading role in director Ridley Scott's All the Money in the World with Christopher Plummer brought in as a last-second replacement. -- PTI
08:50 US House votes against move to impeach Trump
The US House of Representatives, where the opposition Democratic party has a majority, voted on Wednesday against a move to impeach President Donald Trump.
The House voted 332-95 against Congressman Al Green's articles of impeachment against the president, reflecting that the majority of Democrats were not ready yet to impeach Trump despite a bitter political divide with the White House.
Trump, who was travelling to North Carolina to address a public rally, described it as the most ridiculous project.
"We've just received an overwhelming vote against impeachment and that's the end of it," he said. "It's time to get back to work."
While not receiving support from most of his Democratic colleagues, Green claimed that he had been successful in making an impact.
"In my opinion, it didn't fail. In my option, we got 95 votes this time, 66 the last time. So that's a plus. But whether we get 95 or 5, the point is we have to make a statement," he told reporters after the vote.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the lead in killing the move to impeach Trump by not backing the impeachment move.
"The speaker and I respect each other. I believe she's doing what she thinks is right. And I'm doing what I think is right," Green told reporters.
According to CBS news, any member of the House can try to force an impeachment vote.
Green has unsuccessfully tried to force an impeachment vote twice before. Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who had supported the impeachment move earlier, voted against it on Wednesday. -- PTI
08:32 Mumbai-Gorakhpur Antodaya Express derails
Railway traffic in the hilly section of the Central Railway has been affected as one trolley of the second coach of the Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express derailed in Maharashtra early on Thursday, an official said.
The incident occurred between the Kasara and Igatpuri section around 3.50 am and no injuries have been reported, a Central Railway official said, adding that train had departed from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and was going to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
"The restoration of the traffic is on. Only down line is affected, while services at middle line and UP line are available for traffic," the official said. "Therefore, there won't be much effect on traffic movement."
The Central Railway has set up a helpline number 022-22694040 at the CSMT for the passengers to enquire about the derailment. -- PTI
08:26 Kumaraswamy govt to face trust vote today
Janata Dal Secular-Congress coalition government in Karnataka, led by chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, will face a trust vote in the state assembly today.
The discussion on the vote of confidence will start at around 11 am in the assembly.
Kumaraswamy on Wednesday issued whip to all 37 MLAs of JD-S including three rebel legislators Narayana Gowda, Gopalaiah and H Vishwanath to be present in the assembly at the time of trust vote.
Kumaraswamy has warned that if MLAs do not attend the House and vote against the party whip even after attending the session on the day of trust voting, action will be initiated under the rule of anti-defection law and that MLA will be disqualified from his post.
Meanwhile, senior Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, who was amongst the dissident legislators, on Wednesday confirmed that he will remain in the party and vote in favour of Karnataka coalition government.
Reddy, who along with nine Congress-JD-S MLAs resigned on July 6, had said that he tendered his resignation due to party's internal matters. -- ANI
00:55 No US F35 to Turkey as it buys S-400 from Russia
Turkey's decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems renders its continued involvement with the F-35 fighter jets impossible, the White House said on Wednesday, in a move that could have implications on defense ties between India and the United States.
The White House announcement came a day after President Donald Trump announced that the US would not sell the F-35 fighter jets to Turkey after Ankara purchased the S-400 missile defense system from sanctions-hit Russia.
Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), received the first batch of the Russian missile defense system last Friday despite repeated warnings from the US against the purchase.
"Unfortunately, Turkey's decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems renders its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible. The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.
The US has been actively working with Turkey to provide air defense solutions to meet its legitimate air defense needs, and this administration has made multiple offers to move Turkey to the front of the line to receive the US PATRIOT air defense system, she said.
"Turkey has been a longstanding and trusted partner and NATO Ally for over 65 years, but accepting the S-400 undermines the commitments all NATO Allies made to each other to move away from Russian systems," Grisham said.
This will have detrimental impacts on Turkish interoperability with the Alliance, she warned.
"The US still greatly values our strategic relationship with Turkey. As NATO Allies, our relationship is multi-layered, and not solely focused on the F-35," Grisham said.
"Our military-to-military relationship is strong, and we will continue to cooperate with Turkey extensively, mindful of constraints due to the presence of the S-400 system in Turkey," Grisham said.
A day earlier, Trump informed his Cabinet colleagues that the US would not sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey after Ankara purchased the S-400 missile defense system from sanctions-hit Russia.
The decision by the Trump Administration against a major NATO ally could be an indication of the things to come for India as it has also signed up with Russia to buy the S-400 missile defense system against the advice of the US.
India inked an agreement with Russia in October last year to procure a batch of the S-400 missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore.
The issue was raised by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he met his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New Delhi last month and asked India not to purchase S-400 from Russia.
Jaishankar at a joint news conference told reporters that India will take a decision in its best national interest.
As per the current US laws, any country purchasing a major defense equipment from Russia could be subject to American sanctions.
The US Congress has made amendments in the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for a presidential waiver.
Many in India believe that this presidential waiver was for India. However, the US officials were quick to warn that the there was no blanket sanction waiver for any country. -- PTI
IMAGE: US President Donald Trump shakes hands during a bilateral meeting with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan during the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, last month. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
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